Power controlling system



June 16, 1935. w 1 MCGRATH 2,044,395

POWER CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 4, 1931 IN VENTOR BY w Qm/Q mag/vain TTORNE V Patented June 16, 1936 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFlCE Eclipse Machine Company,

Elmira, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application December 4, 1931, Serial No. 579,068 21 Claims. (Cl. 192-.01)

This invention relates system and more trol for starting and operating an internal combustion engine, and connecting the load thereto.

Various devices are known for actuating the starting mechanism of an internal combustion engine by a manually operated member which serves" another purpose during the operation of the engine, such for instance as the clutch, brake, or accelerator pedals of a motor vehicle. Other devices are known for utilizing directly or indirectly, power derived from the engine to control the load clutch, such for instance as vacuum or pressure operated servo-mechanism controlled to a power controlling by special control pedal or by a pedal already present such as the accelerator pedal. The present invention is directed to the utilization of a single manual control element for actuating the starting mechanism when the engine is stopped. and for controllinga-clutch servo and the engine throttle when the engine is running,with special provisions for preventing interference between the various operations under all conditions of service.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized control system for starting, loading and operating internal combustion engines.

Another object is to provide such a device in which a single manually operated member is used to control said functions and cause actuation of each unit in proper time and sequence without requiring the attention of the operator.

A further object is to which a starting system and an automatic clutch control are'operated in conjunction from the accelerator pedal of the engine.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which one form of the invention is illustrated somewhat diagramatically, the parts being shown generally in side elevation and partly in section.

In the drawing there is illustrated an internal combustion engine indicated generally by numeral l and having a fuel intake system including a carburetor 2 mounted on an intake manifold 3.

An electrical starting system for the engine I is illustrated including a battery 4 grounded at 5 and connected by a lead 6 to a starting switch I mounted on and connected to a starting motor 8 which is grounded as indicated at 9 to c0mplete the starting circuit. Means are provided particularly a centralized conprovide such a device in for applying the load to the engine such as a clutch I 0 located within the casing l I and arranged to be engaged by a clutch spring Illa, and released by a clutch lever l2 to connect or disconnect respectively the engine and the load such a as the propelling mechanism of a motor vehicle.

Power operating means for the clutch lever l2 are provided in the form of a servo-mechanism arranged to be operated by the intake vacuum of the engine. As here shown, this servo comprises 10 a piston I 3 pivoted to the lever I2 and slidably mounted in a cylinder It, the lower end of which is connected as by means of a flexible conduit 15 with a control valve indicated generally at "5 connected to said intake manifold.

This valve may be of any preferred type, and constitutes means for connecting the conduit l5 either with the intake manifold or with the atmosphere. As here illustrated, this valve comprises a body member I! having a passage l8 2 which opens into the intake manifold, a port l9 open to the atmosphere, a passage 2| in alignment with the passage I 8 and opening into the conduit l5 and a by-pass 22 arranged opposite the port l9. A piston valve 23 is slidably mounted 25 in the valve body I1, and is provided with a passage 24 adapted to register either with passages l8 and 2| to connect the conduit l5 to the intake manifold, or by-pass 22 and port l9 to connect the conduit IS with the atmosphere. 30

According to the present invention, a unitary manually operated member here illustrated as an accelerator pedal 25 is arranged to control the closure of the starting switch I, the operation of the clutch control valve l6, and the fuel supply 35 through the carburetor 2; the various operating connections including provisions whereby the starting system will not be operatedwhile the engine, is running and whereby the clutch will not be engaged while the starting system is in 40 operation or while the engine is idling. 7

As here illustrated, the connection between the accelerator pedal 25 and the'starting switch I is in the form of a push link 26 having a cylindrical enlargement 21 joumaled within a sleeve member 28. Sleeve 28 is pivoted at 29 to a bell crank lever 3| which is hinged at 32 and carries at its lower end an insulated roller 33 adapted to engage the movable member 34 of the starting switch to close said switch. A piston latch member 35 is'slidably mounted in a cylinder 36 formed on the sleeve member 28 at right angles thereto, said latch 35 n'ormally projecting into the path of a shoulder 31 on the cylindrical member 27. Latch 35 thereby locks the sleeve 2a and the cyof the accelerator pedal moves the sleeve member 28 to rotate lever 3| ina direction to close the starting switch.

' The upper end of the cylinder 36 is connectedas by means of a flexible conduit 38 to a nipple 39 connected to the intake manifold, whereby vacuum in said manifold caused by the selfoperation of the engine withdraws the sliding latch 35 to disconnect sleeve member 28 from the accelerator pedal 25.

A connection is provided for operating the clutch control valve l6 from the accelerator pedal including an adjustable abutment 4| on the push link 26 adapted to engage one arm 42 of a lever 43 pivoted at 44 on a bracket 45. The opposite arm 46 of said lever is connected to operate the piston valve member 23 by suitable means such as a flexible shaft 41 having a sheath 48, and

adjustably connected to saidv lever arm as indicated at 49. Abutment 4| is normally spaced from the lever arm 42 a suificient distance to allow movement of the push link 26 to close the starting switch 1 before the abutment contacts said lever arm Further movement of the abutment causes the piston valve 23 to be drawn by shaft 41 from its normal position in which passage 24 registers with passages l8 and 2i,

- into a position where passage: 24 registers with by-pass 22 and port I9.

The fuel supply from the carburetor 2 to the engine is controlled from the accelerator pedal 25 by means of a connection from the piston valve 23 to a throttle, not illustrated, mounted on the throttle shaft H, as by means of a suitable linkage indicated generally by numeral 52. Preferably a-slight lost motion is provided as indicated at 63 in order that the throttle may remain in its idling position during the initial movement of the piston valve 23.

Means are provided for normally retaining the clutch lever l2 in its depressed position as illustrated in order to hold the clutch open in case or engine stall. As here illustrated, this means is in the form of a latch 54 pivoted at 4% on thebracket 45 and normally urged as by means 032 a spring into the path of a lug 58 formed on the side of the clutch lever i2. Latch 5G is provided with a finger 5? adapted to engage under the arm lever d3,-whereby actuation oi the lever 33 to operate the clutch control valve is will swing the lever 64 out of the path "of the lug Means are preferably provided for preventing such. operation oE the piston member 25 when it might cause engagement of the load clutch during the starting operation, For this purpose, the latch It is provided; with a hook 55 formed to interlock with the lug E5 and prevent the swinging e2 lever: in a direction operate the piston member until the clutch lever is drawn dome the intake vacuum when the engine starts or is depressed by the operator stepping on the clutch pedal as. The accelerator pedal is thus prevented from moving further than suficient to close starting switch the engine starts, whereupon the further do pression off clutch lever l2 and the withdrawal of the sliding latch 85 by the intake vacuum free the pedal i'or further movement to control the clutch and throttle.

Means are providedfor allowing the operation of the motor vehicle without utilizing the automatic clutch control, which means are here in the iorm of an abutment lever 65- pivoted at 32 and carrying at one end an adjustable abutment 63 arranged to engage the end 42 of lever. 43. The opposite end of abutmen; lever 62 is urged into engagement with a fixed stop 64 by suitable means such as a spring 65, and when the abutment lever is in this posi- Y tion, the lever 43- is rotated sufficiently to withdraw the latch 54 from the path of lug 56 and to move the piston valve 23 into position to connect the conduit IS with the atmosphere.

Under these circumstances, the automatic clutch control is thus rendered, inoperative.

In order to rendenthe automatic clutch control operative, a slidable button '66 vis provided in a location convenient to that foot of the operator which normally operates the clutch pedal 7 59, said button having a stern 61 arranged to engage the lever 6| and cause the abutment 63 to be withdrawn into the position illustrated in the drawing. Suitable means such as a spring as whichis weaker than spring as is provided for urging the lever 43 into the position illustrated whereby when the button 66 is depressed by the operator, lever 43 is in position to actuate 25 the automatic clutch control.

In the operation of the device, and starting with the parts in the positions illustrated, with the engine not running, and the control button 66 depressed in order to secure automatic clutch control, initial depression of the accelerator pedal 25 causes closure of the starting switch I whereby the engine is cranked. During this time, the clutch is maintained disengaged by the latch 54, and further depression of the accelerator pedal isprevented by thelocking engagement of said latch. When the engine starts, the

intake vacuum caused by the self-operation thereof withdraws the latch 35, thus freeing the sleeve member 23 from the cylindrical member 21, whereupon the starting switch is returned to its open position assisted if necessary by suitable means such as a spring 69. At the same time, the intake vacuum admitted through the passage 24 in piston valve 23 actuates the servo device l3, l4 to depress the clutch lever 62 to a further slight extent, thus unlocking the latch li from the lug 56. Lever i3 is thereby released, further actuation of the accelerator pedal causes the piston valve 23 to be moved in a u to actuate the servo device to engage the clutch. Atsubstantially the same time, as determined by the lost motion 53, the linkage actuated to control the fuel supply to the in the usual manner. It will thus be seen after the starting operation takes place,

throttle is controlled by the accelerator peas-F. 25 in the usual manner, that is, when the accelerator pedal is raised, the clutch. is disenand when the accelerator pedal is de- 42 clutch is engaged and the throttle tntahe xsoiteration. of the automatic clutch control by next depression of the accelerator pedal system therefor and a 25 causes actuation of the starting mechanism as previously described.

Should the operator desire to dispense with the automatic clutch control, it is merely necessary to remove his foot from the button 66, whereupon manual operation of the clutch may be performed as usual. Initia1 depression of the clutch pedal 59 unlocks the latch 54 from the lug 56, whereupon spring 65 moves the abutment lever 6| so as to swing lever 43 to disengage the latch 54 and hold it out of the path of movement of lug 56, at the same time operating valve l6 to vent the conduit mosphere.

Insome installations, it is desirable to partially open the throttle of the engine during the cranking operation. One method of automatically accomplishing this result in a. control device of this character is illustrated in the form of a link 6% pivoted at 'H to the switch operating lever 3|, and having an adjustable abutment 12 arranged to operate an arm 13 on the throttle shaft 5| to partially open the throttle when the starting switch is closed. Since, as above set forth, the depression of control pedal 25 is restricted during the starting operation to that required to close the starting switch 1, it will be seen that the opening of the throttle during the starting operation is thus limited to an amount determined by the setting of abutment 12 on link 69a. This operating connection is arranged as shown so as not to interfere with the normal operation of the throttle by means of the linkage 52. An adjustable abutment 14 is preferably provided for defining the idling position of the throttle, and a spring 15 is pro- *vided for urging'the throttle toward its idling position.

It will be understood that the structure herein disclosed is merely illustrative of an operative embodiment of the invention and that various modifications may be made in the structural elements and their functional relationships without departing from the spirit of the invention as definedin the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:-

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, a starting clutch for connecting the engine to its load, a manually operated control member, connecting eration of the control member when the engine is not running controls the starting system,

means whereby further operation of the control member controls actuation of the clutch, and

means whereby still further operation thereof controls the fuel supply to the engine.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, a starting system therefor and a clutch for connecting the engine to its load, a manually operated control member, connecting means whereby initial operation of the control member when the engine is not running controls the starting system, means wherebyfurther operation of the control member allows the clutch to close, means whereby still further operation thereof controls the fuel supply to the engine, means for nor? mally preventing said further operation of the control member actuated, and means responsive to self-operation of the engine for disabling said preventing means.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, 9.

l5 to the atmeans whereby initial op-.

ual control member and means while the starting system is' starting system therefor and a clutch for connecting the engine to its load, a manually operated control member, connecting means whereby initial operation of the control member when the engine is not running controls the starting system, means responsive to self-operation of the engine for rendering said connecting means inoperative, means actuated by said engine and brought into action by further operation of the control member for controlling actuation of the clutch, and means whereby still further actuation of the control member controls the fuel supply to'the engine.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, a starting system therefor and a clutch for connecting the engine to its load, a manual control member, and means whereby said member controls the operation of the starting system, the clutch and the fuel supply.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, a

starting system therefor and a clutch for con- 7 necting the engine .to its load, a manual control member, means whereby said member controls in sequence the operation of the starting system, the clutch, and the fuel supply, and means for preventing operation of the control member to control the clutch and fuel supply while the starting system is in operation.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, a starting system therefor and a clutch for con- .necting the engine to its load, a manual control member, means whereby said member controls in sequence the operation of the starting system, the clutch, and the fuel supply. means normally retaining said clutch disengaged, and means preventing the operation of the control member 'for causing the clutch to be engaged while the starting system is in operation.

7. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel intake system, a starting system therefor and a clutch for connecting the engine to its load, a manual control member, means whereby said member controls in sequence the operation of the starting system, the clutch, and the fuel supply, means normally maintaining the fuel supply at idling rate, and means for limiting the operation of the control member to increase thefuel supply while the starting system is in operation.

8. In combination an internal combustion engine, a starting system therefor and a load clutch, power means for controlling said clutch, a manwhereby actuation of said control member directly controls first the starting system and thereafter the clutch.

9. In combination an internal combustion engine, a starting system therefor and a load clutch, a switch for controlling the starting system.

power means for controlling said clutch,- a man ual control member, means whereby actuation of said control member directly controls first the starting system and thereafter the clutch, and

' means for preventing engagement-of the clutch during operation of the starting system.

10. In combination an internal combustion engine, a starting system therefor and a load clutch, a switch for controlling the starting system, power meansfor controlling said clutch, a manual control member, means whereby initial actuation of said control member when the engine is not running closes the, starting switch,

and means whereby further actuation of the control member causes the power means to engage the clutch. s

11'. In combination an internal combustion en gine, a starting system therefor and a load clutch, a switch for controlling the, starting system, power means for controlling said clutch, a manual control member, means whereby initial actuation of said control member when the engine is not running closes the starting switch, means whereby further actuation of the control member causes the power means to engage the clutch, and means for preventing said furtheractuation of the control member until the engine starts. r

12. In combination 'an internal combustion engine, a starting system therefor and a load clutch, a switch for controlling the starting system, power means for controlling said clutch, a

manual control member, connections whereby initial actuation of said control member when the engine is not -running closes the starting the engine is not running closes the starting switch, means whereby further actuation of the control member causes the power means to engage the-clutch, means for preventing engagement of the clutch during operation of the starting system, and means responsive to self-operation of the engine for disconnecting said control member from the starting switch and disabling said preventing means.

14. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a load clutch therefor, disengageable means normally holding said clutch open, yield- .ing means for urging said holding means toward operative position, means for overcoming said yielding means and biasing said holding means toward disengaged position, and manual means for rendering said biasing means inoperative.

'15. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a load clutch therefor, means normally holding said clutch disengaged, power means energized by self-operation of the engine for actuating said clutch, controlling means for said power means, and means whereby actuation ,of.the controlling means causes disengagement of the holding means. 16.1n .combinationan internal combustion engine having a fuel supply system including a throttle, a starting system anda-Joad clutch for said engine, power operating means for said clutch, a manual'control member, connecting means whereby initial actuation of the manual control member when the engine is stopped energizes said starting system and partially opens said throttle; means whereby self-operation of the engine disables said connecting means, and means whereby further operation of the manual control means controls the power clutch operating means and the throttle.

' 17. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a load clutch therefor, means responsive to self-operation of the engine under the control of the operator for disengaging said clutch, means normally holding said clutch disengaged, manual means ior operating said clutch, and-means for disabling said holding means responsive to manual operation of the clutch.

18. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a load clutch therefor, interlocking means normally holding said clutch disengaged,-

power means energized by self-operation of the engine for actuating said clutch, and means for unlocking said holding means responsive to the operation 01' the power means to disengage theclutch. l v

19. In combination, an internal combustion engine, a load clutch therefor, disengageable means normally holding said clutch disengaged, power means for actuating said. clutch, controlling means for said power means, and means for preventing operation of the control means to close the clutch while the holding means is engaged.

20. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a load clutch therefoninterlocking disengaged position, actuating means for said clutch, manually operable controlling means for .said actuating means, said holding means being engaged, power means for actuating said clutch,

controllingmeans for said power means, means for preventingoperation of the control means to. close the clutch while the holding means is locked, said holding means being so formed as to be unlocked by operation of thepower means to disengage the clutch, and means for disengaging' the holding means, when so unlocked, by motion of the control means in a direction to'cause closure of the clutch, such disengagement taking. place before the control means becomes eiiective to cause closure of the clutch.

L. MeGRA'I'H.

means normally holding said clutch disengaged,' a means forbiasing said holding means towards 

